Wheels on Meals

Wheels on Meals

Year: 1984

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: Cantonese

CrimeComedyActionRomance

In a rollicking Spanish adventure reminiscent of Don Quixote, cousins Thomas and David run a quirky mobile restaurant. When the charming pickpocket Sylvia is captured, they join forces with Moby, a well‑meaning but bumbling private detective, to rescue her, sparking a series of comic mishaps across the countryside.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Wheels on Meals (1984)

Trace every key event in Wheels on Meals (1984) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Barcelona startup and Moby's first job

Thomas and David run a bustling fast-food van in Barcelona and keep their martial arts skills sharp in their spare time. They are joined by Moby, a bumbling assistant who has come to Spain after fleeing debtors to work under a private investigator. Moby's first job is to locate the child of a maid who once worked for a wealthy family, setting the adventure in motion.

Opening Barcelona
2

Biker gangs and a chance encounter with Sylvia

After fending off a biker gang, the trio visits David's father, Chen, who is confined in a mental institution and they bump into Sylvia, the daughter of the resident girlfriend. Sylvia hints at an ally in their circle, and the group begins to sense there is more to her than meets the eye. Thomas nudges David to ask Sylvia out, but he hesitates.

Early Mental Institution, Barcelona
3

David hesitates to pursue Sylvia

Thomas pressures David to ask Sylvia on a date, but David chickens out, leaving the budding tension between them unresolved. The dynamic among the cousins and their new acquaintance grows more complicated as Sylvia lingers in their plans. The uneasy romance thread is set against their unusual mission.

Early Barcelona
4

Sylvia’s double life revealed at the van

Back at the van, the group discovers Sylvia is a pickpocket who pretends to be a prostitute to rob patrons, and they intervene to protect a victim. They bring Sylvia to their apartment and attempt to woo her while keeping their money away from her, but they hilariously fail and wake to find both Sylvia and the cash missing. The chaos deepens their bond and curiosity about Sylvia's past.

Night Thomas and David's van and apartment, Barcelona
5

Abduction attempt and a warning from above

The next day, unknown men attempt to kidnap Sylvia, but Moby interferes after crashing his car into hers. In parallel, Moby's private investigator employer learns that Sylvia is Gloria's daughter and orders a rescue mission.

Next day Barcelona streets
6

Rescue and integration of Sylvia

Thomas and David locate Sylvia again and rescue her from her patron's henchmen. Sylvia reveals the tough life she’s endured, and the cousins hire her as a waitress in their fast-food business. The trio continues to enjoy time together around Barcelona, though they still struggle to woo her.

Day after Barcelona
7

The return of the pursuers and new threats

Unknown men return and attempt to kidnap Sylvia during a chase, but Moby uses the van's gadgets and quick thinking to thwart the pursuers. Two of the attackers turn out to be highly skilled martial artists, adding danger that even the cousins struggle to overcome.

Pursuit sequence Barcelona streets
8

Inheritance bombshell and a three-day deadline

The trio learns that Sylvia is the illegitimate daughter of Count Lobas, who raped his chambermaid Gloria. The Count intends to leave a sizable inheritance to Sylvia to keep it away from his brother Mondale. In his deathbed, Lobas asks his wife to locate Gloria and Sylvia so the inheritance can be claimed, creating a three-day deadline to act.

Three days before lawyers' meeting Barcelona (family matters), (three days before lawyers meeting)
9

A confrontation at the Sagrada Família

Thomas, David, and Moby confront Moby's employer at the Sagrada Família and threaten him with being thrown off the basilica unless he reveals everything. He confirms Sylvia's lineage and explains that they need to reclaim the inheritance, prompting them to stage a plan to infiltrate the mental institution to rescue Gloria and Chen.

Evening, three days before deadline Sagrada Família, Barcelona
10

Infiltration and a premature capture

The team infiltrates the mental institution to rescue Gloria and Chen, who plan to marry. As they make their escape, Mondale's men arrive again, beating the Chinese forces and kidnapping the women, forcing a dramatic turn of events as they regroup for a bigger confrontation.

Night Mental Institution, Barcelona
11

Castle raid and a three Musketeers finale

Thomas, David, and Moby raid Mondale's castle to rescue the women. In a series of misadventures, the cousins are captured and taken to Mondale, but Moby frees them. A multi-angled battle erupts, with Thomas and David defeating their foes, while Moby faces Mondale in a duel of weapons; together they triumph in a Three Musketeers–style finale.

Climax Mondale's castle
12

Ending: family, payroll, and a refused mission

Sylvia is finally reunited with her family, and she asks to stay on the payroll as a summer job with the van. Moby then asks the cousins to join him on a new mission to rescue an African president, but they jokingly refuse, choosing their current life and friendships instead. The film closes with the trio in their usual chaotic but close-knit rhythm.

Ending Barcelona

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:47

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Narrative Summary

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Unlock the Full Story of Wheels on Meals

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Wheels on Meals Summary

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Wheels on Meals Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wheels on Meals

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Wheels on Meals

Wheels on Meals Spoiler-Free Summary

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Wheels on Meals Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Wheels on Meals

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